Upgradeable weight training device

ABSTRACT

An upgradable weighted training device to help condition and train forearm and shoulder muscles. The angular bar design helps put leverage against the user. By turning the apparatus, the user is able to activate the forearm muscles more effectively through the full range of motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and moreparticularly to an apparatus for weight training for shoulder andforearm muscles.

Certain skills in gymnastics require a “shift” or flexion of the forearmthrough a range of motion. Developing this shift strength and timing foran athlete is essential to being able to perform certain skills withinthe sport of gymnastics.

With conventional weight training equipment, there are only straightbars or dumb bells. These apparatus do not provide adequate muscleconditioning or timing for proper gymnast training.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system and method for activatingthe forearm and shoulder muscles more effectively through the full rangeof motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention an exercise apparatus, anelongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed endsthereof; an upright member releasably attached to the joints to disposethe upright members at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of thehorizontal member. In certain embodiments, the upright members arereleasably attached to the joint via a pin extending through an apertureof the joint and a corresponding aperture defined in an attachment endof the upright member, such as via a threaded coupling. The uprightmembers are filled with a weighted material, which may include at leastone of a granular or pelletized material. The weighted material may alsobe a solid, and in some embodiments may be integrally formed with theupright member. The exercise apparatus may also include a plurality ofupright member pairs, wherein each upright member pair has acorresponding length. Each upright member pair may also have acorresponding weight.

In other aspects of the invention, an exercise apparatus, is formed asan elongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed endsthereof. An upright member is releasably attached to the joint via a pinextending through an aperture of the joint and a corresponding aperturedefined in an attachment end of the upright member to dispose theupright member at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of thehorizontal member. The upright member is filled with a weightedmaterial. The exercise apparatus may also include a plurality of uprightmember pairs, wherein each upright member pair has a correspondinglength. Each upright member pair may also have a corresponding weight.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the weight training device in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the weight training device.

FIG. 3 is an exploded detail view.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a second exploded detail perspective view.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe weight training device.

FIG. 7 is a detail side elevation view of a third configuration of theweight training device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an upgradableweight training device to develop forearm and shoulder muscles. As seenin reference to FIG. 1 an embodiment of the weight training device 10 isshown being utilized by an athlete for shoulder and forearm muscleconditioning.

The weight training device 10 is formed as a substantially U-shapedapparatus having a horizontal member 12 at the base of the U and a pairof upright members 14 as the upright legs of the U, extending at anangle from the longitudinal length of the horizontal member 12. Theupright members 14 may be coupled to the horizontal member 12 via ajoint 16. An endcap 18 may be attached to a free end of the uprightmember 14. 1. The horizontal member 12 is preferably at the least 1 footin length and at most about 4 feet in length. The diameter of the member12 should be about ½″ (inch) and should preferably not exceed about 2″(inch) in diameter. The horizontal member 12 may be made of wood,plastic, composites, or metal.

As shown in reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upright members 14 may bereleasably coupled to the joint 16 via a retainer 20, such as a pin. Theretainer 20 is received within a joint aperture 22 and a correspondingupright member aperture 24 defined in a coupling end of the uprightmember 14.

As seen in reference to FIG. 4, the upright members 14 may be formedfrom substantially hollow tube which contains a weighted material 26.The weighted material may be integrally formed with the upright member14, such as shown in the upright member 32 FIG. 6. In a preferredembodiment, the upright member may be filled with a granular, orpelletized weighted material 26, such as sand, metal pellets, and thelike to a desired weight. A plug 28 may be inserted to retain theweighted material 26 within the upright member 14.

As shown in reference to FIG. 5, the size of the upright member 14 maybe varied so as to provide a variable capacity for carrying the weightedmaterial 26. In addition, the length of the upright member 14 may beselected so as to provide a greater or reduced offset from thelongitudinal axis of the horizontal member 12. The offset can provide arequirement for an increased or reduced amount of forearm muscle forceto utilize the apparatus through a full range of motion.

The offset also provides the athlete the ability to condition theirmuscles and timing throughout a full range of motion for both a positivelifting and a negative releasing action. A positive lifting action wouldbe required to rotate the horizontal member 12 to raise the uprightmember 14 from a downward facing 6 o'clock point to an elevated 12o'clock position. A negative lifting action would be required to rotatethe upright member 14 from the 12 o'clock position to the lowered 6o'clock position.

As stated above, certain skill maneuvers in gymnastics require a “shift”or flexion of the forearm during maneuver execution by the gymnast. Theunique aspects of the present invention foster developing andconditioning an athlete for this shift strength and the associatedtiming that is essential to within the sport of gymnastics. The abilityto change the weight and the lateral offset of the weights provided bythe invention introduces an ideal conditioning apparatus that may beutilized by new or seasoned gymnasts alike.

Other non-limiting embodiments are shown in reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.For example, as seen in FIG. 6, an upright member 30 may be formed as asolid weighted rod 32 with a pair of opposed apertures 34 that may becoupled to the horizontal member 12 via the pin 30. As shown in FIG. 7,an alternative embodiment of the conditioning apparatus 40 may have ahorizontal member 42, a joint 46. The joint 46 may have a sleeve 47 withapertures 49. The upright member 44 may be fitted with a bushing 48having corresponding apertures 49. The sleeve 47 is received within thebushing 48 and a pin 20 may be inserted to retain the upright member 44,as previously described. As will be appreciated, the upright memberscould alternatively be releasably joined by any suitable method, such asby a threaded coupling with the joint.

The bar may be utilized throughout a full range of shoulder movement,from the overhead position, illustrated in FIG. 1, to an under handposition. By correlating the position of the bar to the placement of thebody it will also help gymnasts to realize the proper shift timing asthe athlete adjusts between positive and negative lifting regimens.

In use, the user would grip the horizontal member 12 with selectedupright members 14 attached to the joints 16. Gripping the horizontalmember 12, the user would rotate the horizontal member with their handand wrists impart an oscillation in the movement of the apparatus 10.This activates the forearm muscles and helps the athlete with developingtiming and body control.

The grip may be an overhand, under hand, or mixed grip. The athlete mayalso manipulate the apparatus 10 so as to impart a spinning motion tothe upright members 14. While spinning, the user can train their shiftmotion to effectively activate the muscles in the forearm. Theversatility of the apparatus 10 allows the user work different musclegroups with a wide variety of exercises.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: an elongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed ends thereof; an upright member releasably attached to the joints to dispose the upright members at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of the horizontal member.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright members are releasably attached to the joint via a pin extending through an aperture of the joint and a corresponding aperture defined in an attachment end of the upright member.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright members are releasably attached to the joint via a threaded coupling.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upright members are filled with a weighted material.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the weighted material comprises at least one of a granular or pelletized material.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the weighted material is solid.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein the weighted material is integrally formed with the upright member.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of upright member pairs, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding length.
 9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding weight.
 10. An exercise apparatus, comprising: an elongate horizontal member having a joint attached at opposed ends thereof; an upright member releasably attached to the joint via a pin extending through an aperture of the joint and a corresponding aperture defined in an attachment end of the upright member to dispose the upright member at an angle offset to a longitudinal length of the horizontal member, wherein the upright member is filled with a weighted material.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of upright member pairs, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding length.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein each upright member pair has a corresponding weight. 